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Thursday, August 08, 2013

Welcome, Carla. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
An author’s job is to get inside the head of their characters so I wouldn’t say
there is much of me at all. They teach me so much when their personalities
emerge through their point of view. That being said, I do find myself drawing
from my some of my own experiences to authenticate experiences or emotion, but
it is expressed through the filter of the character’s personality. For
instance, I had to write a scene of a parent’s death weeks after my step-dad
had passed away. I felt it in a raw way, but those emotions made it to the page
through the unique perception of my heroine.

What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
Does yodeling Eddy Arnold’s Cattle Call into the great beyond in the Blue Ridge Mountains count? My mom and I couldn’t resist
when we were on vacation several years ago and had stopped at a scenic
overlook. To our enormous embarrassment a hiker came climbing up the mountain
below along the Appalachian Trail and greeted
us with nary a yodel in reply.

When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
I’ve been imagining stories all of my life and remember the magical feeling
when I first learned to write my name. In school I was commended for my writing
skill and that affirmed me greatly. As an adult I began to consider the
possibilities of writing for the edification and entertainment of others. It
wasn’t until I wrote stories for my children and began to read Christian
fiction in the early 90’s that I ever hoped to write a novel of my own, but I
didn’t attempt that task until many years later. Really, I think I had a pen in
the womb.

Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I read historical fiction and non-fiction almost exclusively. For fiction I
enjoy early American from the colonial period through the late 19th century as
well as British regencies and Victorian settings. I also love to read
non-fiction true histories of events and people.

How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
I find refreshment in God’s Word, which is life to me. I also find that the
little things which offer brief respites help: sipping a cup of tea, listening
to praise music, taking a walk in the fresh air, watching TV and movie classics
that lighten my mood, holding my new grandson and breathing in that new baby
scent.

Oh, those grandbabies
are awesome. We’re expecting our second great grand before the end of the year.
Can’t wait. How do you choose your characters’ names?
Since I write historicals, I first consider names that fit the setting of the
novel. I research vital records, military rolls, and cemetery lists from the
time frame and location of my story. My characters names are often significant
to their personalities so baby name websites prove helpful. Pattern
for Romance has a colonial setting with the theme of honesty so my
protagonist’s name bears the fitting name of Honour.

What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Becoming a published author without a doubt. It means so much to me to have
realized a long-time goal. It felt like a dream for so long and now it is a
reality. I’m so humbled and grateful and still tickled silly over it!

If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
A wild horse so I could run free through the great outdoors. Or a cat. Spoiled,
like mine.

What is your favorite
food?
Lobster! Or lobstah as we say it in Maine.
Ayuh.

I love lobster, but I’m
sure I don’t get it as often as you do. What is the problem with writing that
was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I really felt overwhelmed by all of the “rules” of writing when I was learning
to develop my craft. As a student I struggled with some learning differences
and was always poor at grammar. Great for a writer, huh? Creative writing was
my strong point, however, and I was determined to learn how to polish my prose.
I decided to study at my own pace with the goal of learning something new
daily.

Tell us about the
featured book.
Honour Metcalf’s quilting needlework is admired by a wealthy customer of the Boston mantua-maker for
whom she works. In need of increasing her earnings, she agrees to create an
elaborate white work bridal quilt for the dowager’s niece. A beautiful design
emerges as she carefully stitches the intricate patterns and she begins to
dream of fashioning a wedding quilt of her own.

When Honour is falsely accused of thievery and finds herself in a perilous
position, merchant tailor Joshua Sutton, comes to her aid. Joshua risks his
relationships, reputation, and livelihood to prove her innocence but even that
might not be enough.

Please give us the
first page of the book.

Boston, MassachusettsJuly 31, 1769

The crack of musket fire resounded through the clouded sky. Hailstones, the
size of goose eggs, pelted the cobbled thoroughfare as people ran for shelter.
Thunder clapped and an onslaught of shouts and shrieks echoed nature’s vehement
warning. Honour Metcalf sank to her knees in a puddle of quilted petticoats and
toile—her mitted hands encased her head, vying for protection against the
artillery of hail and confusion.

“Miss
Metcalf, Miss Metcalf . . .”

A muffled
voice reached her ears and she dared peek at the one towering over her. Blue
eyes—those eyes—flashed concern, then vanished as a dark cloak enveloped her.
Strong arms scooped her up, pressing her against the firm chest of her rescuer.

Honour
could scarcely make out the blur of damaged brick and clapboard as Joshua Sutton’s
long strides carried her away in haste. Glazed windows popped and shards of
glass

flew as hail continued to wreak havoc on shops and offices. Fallen
birds littered the street amidst the frozen ammunition. Lightning flashed and
Honour squeezed her eyes shut, willing away the shrill neighs of horses and the
cracking of the icy brimstone beneath carriage wheels.

The pair
made their way through a heavy wooden door and into a dimly lit foyer. Mr.
Sutton rested Honour upon along bench and stooped beside her. With trembling
hands, she pushed back her taffeta calash. The boned collapsible bonnet provided
some measure of protection from the torrent, but what would protect her from
him?

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It's such a pleasure to be here! Lena you asked some wonderful questions. I appreciate your hospitality and the chance to share with readers. About those lobsters in Maine...yes, we are blessed to have them fairly often. They are sold EVERYWHERE! I have a Yankee appetite for traditional New England food and lobster fits the bill.